Morocco fans collapse and require ambulances in World Cup ticket quest

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Groups of Morocco supporters required medical assistance after collapsing in the heat as they queued for World Cup semi-final tickets. The history-making Atlas Lions are the first ever African nation to reach the last four as they seek to go one better on Wednesday when they meet France at the Al Bayt Stadium for a place in Sunday’s final.

But Morocco’s excitement for the encounter has now been somewhat marred by developments from Qatar on Tuesday as some supporters collapsed from heat stroke while trying to get their hands on tickets.

Due to the sheer number of fans that have travelled to the Middle East, thousands of Morocco supporters look set to miss out on the chance to attend the semi-final.

The Athletic are reporting that multiple Moroccans were taken into the back of ambulances outside the Al Janoub Stadium after falling ill as they queued for the tickets.

It’s understood tickets were supposed to be on sale from 10am but by 12pm, only a few stalls had opened for fans.

Some Moroccan fans had even queued overnight to ensure they got their hands on some tickets but still, they were left disappointed.

Royal Air Maroc has organised 30 extra flights from Casablanca to Doha to ensure thousands more Morocco fans could attend the semi-finals.

Some of these headed straight from the airport to the Al Janoub Stadium to try and secure tickets but the collection did not go entirely to plan.

There was also trouble at Morocco’s World Cup quarter-final clash against Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium last Saturday.

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Hundreds of ticketless Morocco fans attempted to force their way into the arena, only to cause complications for fans with tickets.

Some who had legitimate tickets did not get into the stadium until 20-30 minutes into the contest.

Riot police were also deployed as thousands of fans struggled to get into the arena in time for kick-off.

FIFA’s online app – used to activate tickets via bluetooth – was also down meaning a number of fans couldn’t get hold of their QR code.

Football’s governing body had the same issue ahead of England versus Iran and it’s also partially why some of the World Cup stadiums have not filled up until the game has already started.

Morocco boss Walid Regragui has seen his side keep clean sheets against Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal in Qatar.

Now he is confident the Atlas Lions also have the support of the watching world in their quest for immortality.

“We have made our people and our continent so happy and proud,” Regragui said.

“When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa and I think we are the Rocky of this World Cup. I think now the world is with Morocco.”

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